358 DEFENCE OF QUEEN CAROLINE. [1820. 



Queen. He is charged with a proposition to her 

 Majesty, both from the Government and with the full 

 knowledge and approbation of the King. But before 

 he mentions it to her Majesty in form, he must look 

 over several papers which contain the intentions of 

 the Government, and probably even await the arrival 

 of a courier, whom he expects every moment from 

 Paris, and who, undoubtedly, will arrive in the course 

 of a few hours. Lord Hutchinson would make the 

 communication immediately, but it has not been con- 

 veyed to him in any specific form of words. It can 

 therefore only be collected from the bearing and im- 

 port of the several papers now in his possession. On 

 a transaction of so delicate a nature it is impossible 

 to observe too much caution and circumspection ; and 

 indeed he wishes to convey any proposition which 

 he has to make to her Majesty with that respectful 

 deference which is due to her exalted rank, but, at 

 the same time, with that fidelity which he owes to 

 his sovereign, who has intrusted him with a most 

 deHcate commission, on the occasion and ultimate 

 issue of which depend such important interests, in- 

 volving in them the honour, happiness, and future 

 destinies of the Queen of England. Lord Hutchinson 

 hopes that Mr Brougham and her Majesty will impute 

 his request for a short delay only to the proper motive, 

 which is that of an anxious wish to bring this painful 

 negotiation to an issue equally satisfactory to the 

 illustrious personages principally concerned. Lord 

 Hutchinson has not time to take a copy of this paper, 

 as he does not wish to detain the Count." 



I immediately communicated this note to her 



